Best educators in Australia revealed
They might not be putting themselves in the spotlight for all to see, but in classrooms across Australia, these young, inspirational trailblazers are having a profound impact on the outcomes of their students – and breaking the mould of traditional education while they’re at it.
Over the past year, these iconoclasts have been defying the odds in the face of overwhelming challenges, often using cutting-edge pedagogy, research and technologies to help students, and in many cases their professional colleagues, achieve their best.
The Educator’s Rising Stars list recognises professionals working in the K-12 education space aged under 35 who are able to demonstrate effective leadership, innovation, and achievement in their career to date.
From more nearly 100 nominations received by our team, 32 young professionals stood out for their outstanding leadership, incredible initiative and passion, expertise, innovative approach to teaching and learning, and vision – all necessary to thrive in the ever-evolving education landscape.
Rising Stars 2021 winners
- Bec Christensen, Assistant Principal / Digital Pedagogies Mentor, Nowra Public School, NSW
- Bernadette Jarvis, Teacher, Ormiston College, QLD
- Bianca Fenech, Classroom Teacher, Ingleburn Public School, NSW
- Bonnie Becker, Literacy Program Leader & Senior English Teacher, St Joseph's Nudgee College, QLD
- Carly May, Physical Education and Sports Coordinator, Australian International Academy
- Caroline Springs Campus, VIC
- Casey Paron, Head Teacher PDHPE and Stage 5, Murwillumbah High School, NSW
- Celine Decoux, Languages Teacher (French), St Hilda's Anglican School for Girls, WA
- Charles Bootes, (Acting) House Dean, Marist College Canberra, ACT
- Dane Calleja, Deputy Principal, Kolbe Catholic College, VIC
- David Hrovat, Head of Year, Ivanhoe Grammar School (Plenty Campus), VIC
- Emily McLachlan, PDHPE Teacher, Physical Activity Advisor, Chatswood High School, NSW Department of Education School Sport Unit
- Georgia Bellchambers, Assistant English Faculty Coordinator and Academic Extension Coordinator, St Philip's Christian College Cessnock, NSW
- Grace Hattingh, EAL and English Teacher, Genazzano FCJ College, VIC
- Jacob Elms, Dean of Academic Welfare (Secondary), John Paul College, QLD
- Jacqueline Gough, Head of Curious Minds, Haileybury, VIC
- Jane Martens, Secondary Teacher, St Margaret's Anglican Girls School, QLD
- Josh Roggenkamp, Head of Department Effective Teaching, Maryborough State High School, QLD
- Joshua Casey, Indigenous Co-Ordinator/ Technology & Enterprise teacher, Guildford Grammar School, WA
- Katie White, Head of Years 7 and 8, Mathematics Coordinator (Years 7-9), Brighton Grammar School, VIC
- Kyle Hennig, Link and Launch Coordinator, Northern Beaches State High School, QLD
- Lauren Korotkov, HSIE Teacher & Year 7 Co-ordinator, Emanuel School, NSW
- Matthew Johansen, Head of Department - Explicit Teaching and Data Analysis, Ipswich Grammar School, QLD
- Mitchell Stokes, Assistant Principal, Kincumber Public School NSW Department of Education, (NSW)
- Oliver Clarke, Principal Policy Officer - Youth Engagement, Queensland Department of Education (QLD)
- Phil Carew, Head of Digital Technologies & eLearning, Toorak College, VIC
- Rokiyah Bin Swani, Indigenous Scholarship Programme Co-ordinator, Presbyterian Ladies' College Perth, WA
- Rosaleen Maguire, Teacher, St Patrick's College Townsville, QLD
- Sally Berger, Education Support, Kalianna Special School, VIC
- Scott Corbett, Head of Catalyst, All Saints' College, WA
- Stephanie Sanders, Co-Head of Junior School English, Ballarat Clarendon College, VIC
- Steven Kolber, Literacy Improvement Teacher and Learning Specialist, Brunswick Secondary College, VIC
- Wilbur Donovan, Consultant- Learning & Teaching, Cairns Catholic Education Services, QLD
